Questioning My Metacognition

Over the past few months I’ve been asked for videos that capture a 3-Act Task being taught in the elementary grades. I didn’t have any, or know of anyone that has captured an elementary 3-Act except for this Teaching Channel piece.

Before moving forward, this post wouldn’t be possible without Dan’s trailblazing skills and introducing us all to 3-Act Tasks.

Last week while visiting a kindergarten class we tackled the Candyman. So in the spirit of vulnerability, here it is and I’ll take whatever feedback you can offer.

Act 1: Notice and Wonder

***The blur will disappear after 30 seconds. Little man had to blow his nose***

Act 2: Identify Variables and Solve Conflict

Here’s the kindergarten recording sheet our friends used to make estimates and show their thinking.

After students estimated, we shared and identified the variables needed to answer the question, “How many candies were in Mr. Fletcher’s hand?”

At this point students were good to go and got their model on.  We didn’t scaffold learning in any way because we were using this as a formative assessment.

Here’s what we got…

The context and colors of the candies really helped students explain and model their thinking.

Not all was gravy. There’s still lots of work to go but that’s to be expected. It’s kindergarten and we’re in October.

This student has mastered the art of drawing zeros. Lots of them.

Others looked rough too…

But when we looked closer and talked with the student, they counted the square pencil boxes for us. Awesome to uncover this hidden gem.

Really surprised to see this…

But my mind was blown with this little guy…

10 was his answer but 8 is what he modeled.

So we wanted to know more…

Mic drop.

Act 3: The Reveal

It’s always great to engage the youngins’ in 3-Act Tasks. I’ve heard colleagues say, “I don’t have time to do these types of lessons.”

I hope this helps in showing that we don’t have time, to not have the time.

Thoughts and feedback welcome.

I’m currently serving on the 2017 Orlando Regional Program Committee and honored to work with some great folks. When we met over the summer there was one thing we knew right from the start, we want this conference to be different.

In our attempt to be different we asked for, and were granted a #NCTMregional blog. We hope this helps the communication flow both ways.

Over the next year we will post upcoming release dates and solicit your feedback as we look to build a conference that  “will reflect and represent the diversity of our profession. As we look to build a conference that is inclusive, we welcome, value, and need your input.”  (NCTM Regional Blog)

As we begin this journey together, please take a moment to complete the 3 question survey found on your Orlando Regional Blog. What do you want or expect from an opening session at a NCTM Regional Conference?

Comments are closed for this post. Please share thoughts and feedback in the comments at the blog.

Earlier this week I received an email asking for incentive ideas for a school wide fact fluency focus:

Hi Graham,

I need some insight about math facts and incentive programs. I follow your site and have read Not Your Mom’s Flashcards:Conceptual Understanding of Multiplication and watched From Memory to Memorization: There is a Difference. I know facts are about being efficient, accurate and flexible. With that said our school would like to start an incentive program to encourage students to learn their facts. Ex. In the hallway, picture of student and medals earned and a quarterly bingo math party with snacks and prizes. I am all about balance but… I want to make sure we do what is right for all students. My principal would like an incentive program for facts and I want to lead us in the right direction.

If you search the Internet, there are tons of incentives for fact fluency and the Multiplication Sundae is a big seller.  But the problem I have with the sundae is that some kids never even earn the bowl, let alone the ice cream. And the cherry? It doesn’t stand a chance!

In the same week, I was reminded why incentives for fact fluency crush my soul.  I was at my daughter’s award ceremony, she’s a 3rd grade student. During the presentation they awarded all students that had mastered their multiplication facts with an award. There were a handful of students from her class that earned this award. As a dad, I was proud because my daughter received the award but I know she learned her facts the right way.  But what absolutely crushed me is the other 17 students in her class that didn’t receive the award and how they now believe they’re not good at math.  So I’ll ask the question…Is the award worth it?

I really appreciate the email and all the work we do as teachers to motivate our students but now I can’t escape 2 questions:

1. Is there an incentive idea/program that addresses equity? An idea where EVERY student can be successful?
2. What role (if any) should incentives play in our schools?

I like to think if we can’t address question #1 with “yes” then question #2 is answered for us…incentives don’t belong.

They come in waves. It’s both a blessing and a curse.

Seems like everywhere I walk there’s a perplexing question I can’t just let go of. The bug of mathematization has hit my entire family.

My wife is a teacher and for appreciation week she was given a light bulb filled with Skittles. She comes home and says “Hey Gray, I’ve got a 3-Act Task for you!”

And that’s how task #49-Bright Idea came to be.

We love pickles and jalapeños in our house. We have back-ups for the back-ups. My daughter in 3rd grade was analyzing the jars while unpacking the groceries. Then she says, “I wonder how much longer it takes to fill up the little jar compared to the big jar?”

Enter task #50-Dill ‘er Up

I was at a friend’s house and he was slicing some apples for our girls to have as a snack. My youngest daughter (kindergarten) watched intently and ask “Hey daddy, how long do the think the skin will be? Will it be taller than you?”

Voila…task #51-Granny Smith’s Skins

In September 2013 Dan visited my district and said I needed to start sharing and I haven’t stopped since.

51 tasks later and I just want to say thanks.

• Thanks to my family for putting up with me. Sure it’s fun but I know it’s annoying too.
• Thanks to Dan for the push to share.  I hope my work has inspired others to share openly and freely as well.
• Thanks to my friends in the #MTBoS who help push and question me. With late nights and behind the scenes magic… you make me feel normal.
• Thank YOU for your continued support and encouragement. If you’ve used or shared one task, I appreciate you drinking the Kool-Aid. Thanks for the feedback and for sharing pictures of student work. You inspire me to create more.

“All of us are smarter than one of us”

I recently had the amazing opportunity to be 1 of 6 speakers at ShadowCon16.  The whole premise of ShadowCon is awesome and full credit goes to Zak Champagne, Mike Flynn, and Dan Meyer for having the vision and bringing this all together.

Conferences quickly become distant memories, however our three friends have found a way to extend the conference experience. Each of the six ShadowCon speakers shared a provocative 10-minute talk and then challenged the audience (YOU) with a Call to Action.

You can find my ShadowCon Talk here, along with my call to action and some extra tidbits. After watching my talk, please take the opportunity to respond to my call to action by posting your thoughts on the message board.

If my talk didn’t resonate with you and you don’t feel compelled to act…no worries because there 5 more chances to get connected.

Robert Kaplinsky – Empower

Gail Burrill – Math is Awesome: Let’s Teach so Our Students Get It

Kaneka Turner – Extending the Invitation to Be Good at Math

Brian Bushart – Make Your Own Kind of Music

Rochelle Gutierrrez – Stand Up for Students

I have purposefully closed comments for this post in hope that you will continue the conversation on the webpages that NCTM has graciously shared.

I look forward to learning and growing together as all of us are smarter than one of us.

Cardinality…what is it and what does it look like?

If you’re not a kindergarten teacher you might be left shrugging your shoulders if someone asked you to define cardinality. Before students can own the idea of cardinality, they need to have an understanding of one-to-one counting.

So now you know what it is, here’s an example of a 4-year-old working to gain an understanding of cardinality…

If you’re not familiar with cardinality you expect this little guy to say “seven”. Especially after he’s counted and I’ve repeatedly ask him “how many are there?”

But nope, he’s not quite ready.

Be the teacher… 

What activities and/or suggestions can you offer to help me move this little guy from 1-to-1 counting to cardinality?

Please share you thoughts in the comments.  My hope is that by sharing this video parents can begin to look for and promote cardinality at home before students get to kindergarten.